Hosea 6

1 “Come, let us return to the Lord.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.

2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.

3 Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears.

5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth—
then my judgments go forth like the sun.

6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

7 As at Adam, they have broken the covenant;
they were unfaithful to me there.

8 Gilead is a city of wicked people,
stained with footprints of blood.

9 As marauders lie in ambush for a victim,
so do bands of priests;
they murder on the road to Shechem,
carrying out their wicked schemes.

10 I have seen a horrible thing
in the house of Israel.
There Ephraim is given to prostitution
and Israel is defiled.

11 “Also for you, Judah,
a harvest is appointed.
“Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people,

Hosea 6

1 Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him.3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth early away.5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.6 For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.7 But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity; it is stained with blood.9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem; yea, they have committed lewdness.10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: there whoredom is found in Ephraim, Israel is defiled.11 Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for thee, when I bring back the captivity of my people.